Re-Imagining Medicine - The Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University

Passion, Purpose, and Practical Wisdom

The Re-Imagining Medicine Fellowship (ReMed) offers Duke pre-health students an interactive summer program exploring the intersection of medicine, virtue, and moral purpose.

About

ReMed seeks to foster the character, imagination, and practices needed to work effectively in contexts of human suffering and healing. Leaders across disciplines – history, ethics, spirituality, and expressive writing, as well as doctors and other healthcare professionals – help students explore themes often absent in traditional medical education.

After an experiential immersive week at Duke in May, ReMed Fellows have virtual weekly meetings on Thursday evenings in June and July.

Fellows pair the ReMed program with a summer internship, employment, or service work related to health care.

Fellows receive a stipend of $1000.

ReMed is a program of The Purpose Project at Duke, the Kenan Institute for Ethics, and the Trent Center for Bioethics, Medical Humanities & History of Medicine. It is sponsored by a grant from The Duke Endowment.

Applications are still open for summer 2023! More details about how to apply can be found here.

Lynn McKinley Grant leads a Seeing through Art session with Duke undergraduate students as part of the ReMed course.

Why Re-Imagine?

What does it mean to be a good doctor? What does the “do no harm” in the Hippocratic tradition mean—not in theory, but in practice? How do we ensure that healthcare is just, fair, humane, and equitable? How can we prepare to practice medicine with character, to develop a sense of meaning and purpose in our work, and to contribute to the betterment of society?

In this program, students are invited to imagine the ways that doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals can use their specialized knowledge and skills with humility to care for individuals, cure and prevent disease and suffering, flourish in their chosen profession, and work toward the greater good. Fellows will join with each other and with doctors, other healthcare professionals, and faculty from other disciplines (e.g., history, ethics, the arts) to explore themes often absent in traditional pre-health and health education.

The Program

ReMed is not a stand-alone program. To enable critical reflection on lived experiences and practices, Fellows are required to pair their participation in ReMed with an internship, employment, or service work related to health or health care. Fellows must arrange this parallel experience on their own. It must be at least twenty hours a week for eight weeks, and it can include formal Duke civic engagement or research programs, with permission from the directors of those programs. Experiences that would fulfill this requirement include volunteer service in a health-related setting; paid employment in a hospital, clinic, public health agency, or health-related company or nonprofit; or engagement in clinical research. Applicants must specify their proposed summer experience at the time of application.

The ReMed program begins in mid-May. Fellows will gather in person at Duke from May 14–19, 2023 (the week following commencement).

This immersive week will feature shared meals and conversation, experiential learning at Duke Hospital, engagement with creative writing and the visual arts, and facilitated reflections on justice and equity in health care. Students who live on campus will work with Housing and Residence Life to extend their housing reservation. ReMed staff will support students in this application process and will cover the additional cost of meals and housing for that week.

The program then shifts to a virtual one. For eight weeks in June and July, ReMed Fellows and faculty will gather for weekly 90-minute seminars to reflect on their summer experiences and to engage in conversation with leading scholars and practitioners. These seminars will take place on Zoom from 4:30 pm–6:00 pm ET on Thursdays, June 1, 8, 15, 22 and July 6, 13, 20, and 27.

Fellows are also expected to journal about their experiences during the summer and to complete a creative project, with the support of faculty, that will be presented at the closing dinner and celebration in early Fall 2023.

ReMed Fellows are expected to participate fully in all components of the fellowship and to miss no more than one ReMed Seminar.

Reimagine Medicine mindfulness

2021 ReMed Fellows

Beles Abebe, a rising senior from Holly Springs, NC, majoring in Sociology and minoring in Chemistry and Global Health, enjoys taking photographs of loved ones and nature, adores children and working with them, and is interested in research pertaining to social determinants of health and addressing healthcare disparities. — Beles Abebe

Connor Blue is a junior Psychology major with minors in Chemistry and German from Denver, CO. He does research on how creativity intersects with organic chemistry and aspires to a career in international medical relief. — Connor Blue

Danielle Kapustin is a senior (philosophy major; biology & chemistry minors) from Charlotte, NC, pursuing a career in medicine. She loves group exercise classes, collaborative brainstorming, crafting, thin mint ice cream from the Parlour, philosophizing about her life purpose (for better or worse!), and spending time with friends and family. — Danielle Kapustin

David Moon is a junior majoring in biology. Born in South Korea and raised in Boston, he is currently researching cancer biology and enjoys playing golf and listening to music. In the future, he hopes to become a physician-scientist in oncology. — David Moon

Ethan Bott, a fourth year Psychology major from Soldotna, AK, is most passionate about issues of substance use/addiction, healthcare inequalities, and education reform, and he currently conducts research on Pompe disease. In his free time, Ethan enjoys exercising, watching sports, and spending time with his friends and family. — Ethan Bott

Evan Liu, a rising senior studying biology from Honolulu, HI, researches couples communication and racial implicit bias in healthcare, loves exploring cities’ food scenes, and is an avid basketball, football, and tennis fan. When not on Zoom, he is hiking, attempting to cook, playing spikeball, or sleeping on the beach. — Evan Liu

Gianni Lacey-Howard, a junior Sociology major from Durham, NC, is working toward a career in community or family medicine. She is a QuestBridge Scholar, B.N. Duke Scholar, Cardea Fellow, and a member of Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc. Her hobbies include beading jewelry, dancing, painting, and exploring new foods. — Gianni Lacey-Howard

Ishaan Kumar is a rising senior from London, England, majoring in Philosophy, with a Chemistry Minor and a Science and Society Certificate. He works as the technical manager for Bluesmith, the home of medical 3D printing at Duke, and volunteers at the Community Empowerment Fund, a local Durham non-profit. He likes jazz and citrus fruit. — Ishaan Kumar

Jack Mulcrone, a rising junior Philosophy major from Vernon Hills, IL, is passionate about Chipotle, his two dogs, and a future career as a urologist. His hobbies include photographing abandoned buildings, playing basketball and tennis, and reading true ghost stories. He has recently discovered a love for Il Forno at WU. — Jack Mulcrone

Jenny Liu is a senior from College Station, TX, majoring in Neuroscience. She studies adolescent ethanol exposure in the Swartzwelder Lab, is happiest hiking in the mountains, and dabbles in playing the piano and guitar. She has become quite good at embroidery since the pandemic. — Jenny Liu

Kristin Ankoma-Sey is a rising junior from Houston, TX, majoring in Cultural Anthropology who hopes to pursue a career as a physician. She currently conducts research in the Willis lab about mimulus guttatus and has previously conducted research about electronic medical records. Some of her hobbies include reading, travelling, and gardening. — Kristin Ankoma-Sey

Melody Gao is a junior from Folsom, CA. She is majoring in History with a concentration in American history and minors in Chemistry and Spanish. She loves visiting history museums and historic sites, volunteering with the elderly, and practicing Taekwondo. — Melody Gao

Michael Larbie is a junior Biomedical Engineering major originally from Ghana, now from Matthews, NC. He is passionate about football, prosthetics, and global health, and hopes to help close the gaps in healthcare available to people across the US and around the world. — Michael Larbie

Olivia Santos is a rising junior from Atlanta, GA, studying Evolutionary Anthropology and Religious Studies. She is passionate about reproductive justice and is working towards a career in women’s health. In her free time, she enjoys baking, playing music, and reading stories about women. — Olivia Santos

Rebecca He, a rising junior from AZ double majoring in biology and visual arts, loves to drink boba (bubble) milk tea. Her passion is to establish medical clinics around the globe to provide quality healthcare and to demonstrate the love of Christ. She also loves playing tennis, music, and advocating that pineapple is the BEST topping on pizza. — Rebecca He

Saagar Jain, a senior Biology major, is from Fort Lauderdale, FL. He enjoys playing basketball, traveling, trying new food, and playing with his dogs. He is involved in neurobiology research at Duke and is interested in the role of technology in healthcare. — Saagar Jain

Sreya Rahmanis a rising senior from Houston, TX,studying neuroscience and chemistry. She is passionate about addressing healthcare inequities, her research on chronic pain and itch, and baking bread. — Sreya Rahman

Stephanie Green is a rising senior studying Public Policy and Global Health from Metro Detroit, MI. She’s an avid Michigan fan, does child policy research, and is working toward a career as a child psychiatrist. She’s also a vegetarian foodie, traveler, and Disney enthusiast. — Stephanie Green

Past ReMed Fellows

Caroline Anderson, a junior Biology major (concentrating in Genomics, with a certificate in Science & Society) is from Jacksonville, FL. She is in Navy ROTC, researches Salmonella in the Ko lab, and is working on her master scuba diver certification this summer.

Sydney Aquilina is a senior from Leesburg, VA, majoring in Philosophy with Minors in Global Health and Chemistry. She loves Jesus, dancing, hiking, playing the oboe, and her research on childhood trauma.

Max Beck is a senior from Wilmington, DE, pursing an interdepartmental major in cultural anthropology and neuroscience. Outside the classroom, he loves surfing, trying new restaurants in Durham, and relaxing in Duke Gardens.

Janelle Carmichael is a senior from Atlanta, GA, majoring in Psychology with a Neuroscience minor. Her interests include music, dance, and volunteering in Durham. She hopes to become a neurologist.

RaKavius Chambers, a senior Biology major minoring in Chemistry is from Opelika, AL. He loves to cook (despite mixed results), enjoys researching fungi in the Vilgalys lab, and plans to become the nation’s top cardio-thoracic surgeon.

Sean Cho, a senior biology major from Pleasanton, CA, loves seeing new places and the quesadillas at Sazón, conducts stem cell research, and is interested in a career in orthopaedics.

Bree Collins, a senior Visual Arts major from Cleveland, OH, loves sunny days, reading, and painting; researches biosynthetic pathways in tomato at the Sun Lab; and is working toward a career as an OB/GYN.

Maleah Densby is a junior pre-med Sociology major with minors in Chemistry and Japanese. She grew up in San Francisco, CA. She loves to knit, watch Netflix and read comics. She’s a Cardea Fellow, and a member of Nakisai and Future Is Now.

Karan Desai, a junior studyng Neuroscience and Computer Science, is from Columbus, OH. He is passionate about mental health, Christopher Nolan films, and mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Dakota Douglas is a junior studying biology and global health, from Indian Trail, NC. She dreams to attain her MD/PhD. She spends her free time painting, playing trumpet, reading, and explaining that Indian Trail is 30 minutes from Charlotte.

Maddie Fowler is a senior Program II major in Disability Studies and Ethical Mental Health Care from Chapel Hill, NC, who loves hiking and playing the piccolo during Duke basketball games, and hopes to become a doctor to advocate for disability justice in the medical field.

Margaret Gaw, a junior English major, is from Nashville, TN. She is part of the Bass Connections team studying women-inspired strategies for health empowering prevention of cervical cancer, and she loves hiking, reading, and rapping to the musical Hamilton.

Julie Hwang, senior from Seoul, South Korea, is pursuing an interdepartmental major titled “Visual Media in Narrative Medicine.” She is fascinated by the wonders of photography, finds joy in spending time with children, and hopes for a career in pediatrics.

Arthi Kozhumam is a senior Global Health and Biology major from Austin, TX, working towards a career as a physician and global health researcher. You’ll find her conducting research with DGHI and the School of Nursing, or playing percussion in Duke Cancer Center.

Margaret Lim is a junior Biology major from Ringgold, GA. She researches in the Purves Urinary Dysfunction lab, loves playing violin and piano, and enjoys solving crossword puzzles.

Sydny Long, a senior Psychology major from Fort Mill, SC, researches perspective-taking in kids and expressive writing, loves restoring vintage toys, and wants to become a pediatric oncologist.

Rebecca Melaku, from Indian Trail, NC, is a junior Biology/Global Health double-major with a Chemistry minor. She enjoys painting, reading, and exploring new places. Rebecca’s coolest Duke experience was researching hydrogen fuel technology (and secretly developing rocket fuel for an outer space venture).

Mihir Patel is a senior from Indianapolis, IN. He is majoring in biology and aspires to become an oncologist. Currently, he does hospice app development research and cancer biology research. For fun, he enjoys watching sports and graphic design.

Fabiana Peña Medina, a junior from Orange County, CA, is majoring in Evolutionary Anthropology and minoring in Spanish and Chemistry. She loves to read and go on runs, helps with ecotoxicology research at the DiGiulio Lab, and plans to take a gap year before attending medical school.

Maria Pita, a senior Cultural Anthropology major born in Caracas, Venezuela, and raised in Miami, FL, lover of books and beer, researches the effects of medical discrimination on pursuance of breast cancer follow-up care, and aspires to a career in medicine.

Natalie Rincon, a junior from Tampa, Florida, is a Neuroscience major who dabbles in linguistics and music. She is energized by singing and laughing with others, is happiest under the sun, and is interested in addressing healthcare disparities.

Jein Eleanor Seo, from Detroit, MI, is a junior studying biology and global health. She loves cold brew coffee, the outdoors, and her Bass Connections research in global neurosurgical outcomes.

Clarke Shead is a junior from St. Louis, MO, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Chemistry and African and African American Studies. She is interested in studying health disparities affecting minority communities. In her free time, she enjoys sharing laughs over new foods with friends and playing piano.

Katie Waeldner, a senior majoring in Cultural Anthropology from Yarmouth, ME, loves spending time outside with friends. She hopes to address public health, particularly the health disparities driven by malnutrition and food insecurity, through a career in medicine.

Peter Wang is a senior biology major and chemistry minor from Boston, MA. He loves music and plays the piano and violin, and is also a big football and basketball fan. He thinks cats are truly the best.

Jack Welsby, a junior Biology major with a concentration in Biochemistry and minors in Chemistry and Music, is from Chapel Hill, NC. Jack enjoys playing soccer, performing with the Duke symphony, and tinkering with bikes.

Sree Yellanki is a junior Psychology major from Newark, DE, who enjoys eating, traveling, and playing tennis and basketball.

Danah Younis, a junior from Miami, FL, majoring in Public Policy and minoring in Arabic Language, is passionate about her work with the Kenan Refugee Project, loves Arabic and Spanish music, and is interested in refugee and immigrant healthcare.

Esther Zhang is a junior from Basking Ridge, NJ, majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology. She loves playing the guitar and ukulele, has a dog named Teddy, and researches vision in the Field Lab.

Alice Zhou, a junior majoring in biology (with history and sociology minors) is from Singapore (although her hometown is Lake Forest, IL). She is passionate about flute, dance and all things food related and hopes to attend medical school after graduating from Duke.

2020

Contact Information

Warren Kinghorn
Esther Colliflower Associate Research Professor of Pastoral and Moral Theology
Co-Director, Theology, Medicine, and Culture Initiative
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center
warren.kinghorn@duke.edu

News

Re-Imagining Medicine is a program of The Purpose Project. The Purpose Project, sponsored by The Duke Endowment, makes matters of character, questions of purpose and explorations of one’s life’s work signature features of the Duke experience.